The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1 

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How close to what, exactly? He's been underperforming for years now...
Year, last year was tragic yes.

But his years at Lotus where sublime.

Given how much he has turned it around this year relative to where he was im not convinced he has lost it.
 
I would have to disagree with your thoughts on Kimi not performing. I think to say that so early on in the season is a bit premature - I would even go as far as saying that after todays Grand Prix I wouldn't be surprised to see Kimi finish above Vettel.
 
The rumour mill is saying that Hamilton's a possibility for Ferrari in 2016. This is no doubt driven by Woolff's comments that it may take until November for Hamilton's contract negotiations to be complete (a joking exaggeration, I felt). Ferrari have announced that they're holding off on signing a contract for Raikkonnen's 2016 campaign to ensure that he "doesn't fall asleep".

Hamilton to Ferrari? Can't see it myself..
 
But Hamilton bought a LaFerrari. That must surely mean he's joining the team. Also them dangling a contract on front of Kimi is the proverbial carrot on a stick since he has to remain motivated to be a competitive driver. I was skeptical of Arrivabene at first but it seems the man knows exactly what he needs to do. That being said I'd rather Ferrari pick someone else to partner Vettel next year.
 
Hamilton wouldn't leave Mercedes unless he plans to retire soon imo.

Also Hamilton has a pretty Large car collection, so it doesn't really mean much that he bought a LaFerrari.
 
I know it's hard to detect tone on the internet without a ton of smiley faces of various nature, but I wasn't being serious about the Hamilton line. Ferrari would do better pairing a young driver with Vettel and not a #1 driver like Hamilton is.
 
I know it's hard to detect tone on the internet without a ton of smiley faces of various nature, but I wasn't being serious about the Hamilton line. Ferrari would do better pairing a young driver with Vettel and not a #1 driver like Hamilton is.

I think they'll be keeping an eye on Verstappen. Who wouldn't?
 
Year, last year was tragic yes.

But his years at Lotus where sublime.

Given how much he has turned it around this year relative to where he was im not convinced he has lost it.

So then PM is right, because if you're considering what Kimi did at Lotus more so his final year there, you be agreeing that Bottas' back injury isn't an excuse. It's easy to come to this because Kimi himself had back issues that caused him to under perform and need surgery, yet you yourself have just said that these were (in a general sense) "sublime" performances. So I'm confused how can one driver with a back injury recovery finish in the points and be sublime but not another with similar circumstances?

Also a 4th, 5th and 6th seems pretty good standard for a car that is third best. Especially when only one of them he lost to his team mate Massa, and another the most recent he held off Vettel quite well to finish 4th.
 
So then PM is right, because if you're considering what Kimi did at Lotus more so his final year there, you be agreeing that Bottas' back injury isn't an excuse. It's easy to come to this because Kimi himself had back issues that caused him to under perform and need surgery, yet you yourself have just said that these were (in a general sense) "sublime" performances. So I'm confused how can one driver with a back injury recovery finish in the points and be sublime but not another with similar circumstances?
Didn't I also mention the last half of 2014 that had no back injury what so ever?

I did say I had doubts with Bottas being a top driver, but what I didn't say was he wasn't capable of being one.

Bottas doesn't have a track record like Kimi as he hasn't been in F1 as long, thus I had a different standard for Kimi.
 
Didn't I also mention the last half of 2014 that had no back injury what so ever?

He wasn't at Lotus as far as Kimi goes, and Bottas beat Massa. I really don't care about 2014 cause neither had a back issue, my problem with your statements is that some how Bottas has had a bad or iffy season based on four races one of which he couldn't race due to back injury. Yes after all that he's still done good enough to catch up to Massa in points. So I don't see how Bottas couldn't possibly be called up to a top tier team.

I did say I had doubts with Bottas being a top driver, but what I didn't say was he wasn't capable of being one.

Bottas doesn't have a track record like Kimi as he hasn't been in F1 as long, thus I had a different standard for Kimi.

How isn't he, he's probably on the same level as Daniel Riccardo and has proved this various times against Massa (who was also a top tier driver at one time), and secondly he's proved it on the track against other cars stronger than his. Whether it was beating them more package efficient RBR last year or beating Vettel yesterday, it shows he has the ability to drive with the best of them. I'd say your doubts are misplaced
 
I think they'll be keeping an eye on Verstappen. Who wouldn't?

From what I can remember pretty much all the Toro Rosso drivers went on to race with Red Bull or left F1 altogether,
Or RB test driver/shared seat time driver were moved to TR for the first season to maybe get some seat time (Liuzzi)

Being the Jr team I think they may have a clause in the drivers contracts that they can only move to RB unless the team let them go ( Of corse that is pure guessing on my part )
but if that is true RB/TR would be crazy to let max go.

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As for Bottas he scored points in 17 out of 19 races (1 retirement and 11th place only just outside the points)
He also finished in front of 4 ex world champions ( Räikkönen, Alonso, Vettel and Button)

Ok only a poor workman blames his tools, but at some point you have to admit you can't paint the Mona lisa with a broom, if the cars not competitive then not much the driver can do about it.
 
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He wasn't at Lotus as far as Kimi goes, and Bottas beat Massa. I really don't care about 2014 cause neither had a back issue, my problem with your statements is that some how Bottas has had a bad or iffy season based on four races one of which he couldn't race due to back injury. Yes after all that he's still done good enough to catch up to Massa in points. So I don't see how Bottas couldn't possibly be called up to a top tier team.
Care all you want this is what I used as my basis for what I said, last half of 2014 combined with the first few races of 2015, compared to Massa.

Still i said nothing Conclusive, and that is the key word most of you don't seem to get.



How isn't he, he's probably on the same level as Daniel Riccardo and has proved this various times against Massa (who was also a top tier driver at one time), and secondly he's proved it on the track against other cars stronger than his. Whether it was beating them more package efficient RBR last year or beating Vettel yesterday, it shows he has the ability to drive with the best of them. I'd say your doubts are misplaced

Beating Vettel was lets be honest after a massive Vettel error and then a pit stop afterwards, not that it wasn't a good drive but using it as a point is kinda useless, unless your just looking at the results on Autosport rather then actually watching the race.

I Still don't Rate him highly due to the fact he hasn't dominated Massa who I think isn't a top tier driver anymore, he hasn't shown anything more then odd flashes of top pace for the last 5 years so thats what im basing it on, and he was demolished by Alonso for 4 years straight.

Ricciardo has shown significantly more against a Significantly higher rated Driver as team mate so whilst that might be your opinion on where Bottas is, I just don't see it(Both where very close back in F2.0 back in the late 2000s though I might add).
 
Care all you want this is what I used as my basis for what I said, last half of 2014 combined with the first few races of 2015, compared to Massa.

Still i said nothing Conclusive, and that is the key word most of you don't seem to get.

An entire season has passed and Bottas drove better, the first four races (which you originally seemed to compare and nothing more) have shown us that Bottas is doing better in the races he has participated in. And this is not only against his team mate but other drivers in as strong or stronger cars. Your basis seems faulty to back up already faulty logic and driver selection, that is the point you don't seem to get.



Beating Vettel was lets be honest after a massive Vettel error and then a pit stop afterwards, not that it wasn't a good drive but using it as a point is kinda useless, unless your just looking at the results on Autosport rather then actually watching the race.

I Still don't Rate him highly due to the fact he hasn't dominated Massa who I think isn't a top tier driver anymore, he hasn't shown anything more then odd flashes of top pace for the last 5 years so thats what im basing it on, and he was demolished by Alonso for 4 years straight.

Ricciardo has shown significantly more against a Significantly higher rated Driver as team mate so whilst that might be your opinion on where Bottas is, I just don't see it(Both where very close back in F2.0 back in the late 2000s though I might add).

What? I'm in the forums every weekend a race is on and yet you claim I didn't watch the race, Vettel did try to make an attack on Bottas and failed. I don't care what excuses you want to give Vettel (ironic considering a real excuse Bottas had in the first two gp you don't consider :indiff:) he was beat by a weaker car because he didn't do what he was capable of. Either way if you want to divulge into petty comments with no basis just to help end this, that's fine.

He didn't show pace in the past five years because old Ferrari logic is to make sure you stay out of the number 1 drivers way, and by also making sure you're not as fast most days. I mean that should have been vastly obvious when he was told to pull over so many time and more so when breaking the seal on his transmission simply to move Alonso up a spot on the grid. Ferrari of past seemed more interested in giving Alonso a WDC, then having a WCC. I do agree Massa wasn't nearly as consistent as he is now, but the problem with your logic is he is now consistent like he once was and this isnt 10-13 (not sure why you'd count 2009....OH that's right because injuries aren't a real excuse unless you're named Kimi ;))

Also Bottas beat Massa by a good margin last year, Ricciardo beat his veteran team mate and WDC winner by a good margin as well and though slightly better than Bottas. However, what you don't calculate (more irony) is that this was a new car that is quite different from the 09-13 runners. It's very possible that Vettel need more time to adjust to the car, and guys like Massa were able to grasp it better. Also the fact that a change of scenery has helped Massa seem more like the driver many saw 08 and prior. Either way Massa (as much as I hate the guy) is doing quite well in the current formula and with his veteran skill Bottas is beating him still.
 
Also Bottas beat Massa by a good margin last year, Ricciardo beat his veteran team mate and WDC winner by a good margin as well and though slightly better than Bottas. However, what you don't calculate (more irony) is that this was a new car that is quite different from the 09-13 runners. It's very possible that Vettel need more time to adjust to the car, and guys like Massa were able to grasp it better. Also the fact that a change of scenery has helped Massa seem more like the driver many saw 08 and prior. Either way Massa (as much as I hate the guy) is doing quite well in the current formula and with his veteran skill Bottas is beating him still.
Your biases are creating delusions, I see. You clearly want Bottas to be good, but he hasn't exactly proven it yet.

He was soundly beaten by Maldonado as a rookie and last year I'd say he very marginally outperformed Felipe Massa (clearly not a "good margin"). Statistically, the image is even more unfavorable for Bottas, as when both Williams finished it was 8-6 Massa last year. And Bottas' 6 finishes ahead includes three races where Massa had major problems outside of his control (minute long pit stop in China, debris in the floor for 2/3 of Spa, Q1 engine issues in Russia). And this season, if anything, Massa has the small advantage.
 
An entire season has passed and Bottas drove better, the first four races (which you originally seemed to compare and nothing more) have shown us that Bottas is doing better in the races he has participated in. And this is not only against his team mate but other drivers in as strong or stronger cars. Your basis seems faulty to back up already faulty logic and driver selection, that is the point you don't seem to get.
Faulty on what basis?
Stronger or weaker car means little, as F1 is a ever evolving sport and one car that might be fast one weekend might be slow another, combine that with all the different talents in each car means it's a lot more complex then saying ''he is elite because he beat someone driving this car because that car is better.''

I always try to focus on the team mate first, then look else where as that is much easier to understand since they are using the same equipment at any given time(Mostly).




What? I'm in the forums every weekend a race is on and yet you claim I didn't watch the race, Vettel did try to make an attack on Bottas and failed. I don't care what excuses you want to give Vettel (ironic considering a real excuse Bottas had in the first two gp you don't consider :indiff:) he was beat by a weaker car because he didn't do what he was capable of. Either way if you want to divulge into petty comments with no basis just to help end this, that's fine.
I didn't say that, you did.

I said: ''Beating Vettel was lets be honest after a massive Vettel error and then a pit stop afterwards, not that it wasn't a good drive but using it as a point is kinda useless, unless your just looking at the results on Autosport rather then actually watching the race.''

This is a weak basis for argument because:
1. His race was compromised by damage
2. He had to do another whole pit stop on top putting his car where it wouldn't of been.

But I didn't say it wasn't a good drive because he did keep Vettel behind him.


He didn't show pace in the past five years because old Ferrari logic is to make sure you stay out of the number 1 drivers way, and by also making sure you're not as fast most days. I mean that should have been vastly obvious when he was told to pull over so many time and more so when breaking the seal on his transmission simply to move Alonso up a spot on the grid. Ferrari of past seemed more interested in giving Alonso a WDC, then having a WCC. I do agree Massa wasn't nearly as consistent as he is now, but the problem with your logic is he is now consistent like he once was and this isnt 10-13 (not sure why you'd count 2009....OH that's right because injuries aren't a real excuse unless you're named Kimi ;))
Say what you want about that particular situation, but he continued to stay there which means he obviously wasn't treated as bad as you think he was, and all those moments of ''2nd driverness'' happened after mid season.
Also I didn't count 2009, because he wasn't Alonso team mate(I said 4 years Straight 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) and he had a severe head injury which is much more severe then the back injuries mentioned(Massive injuries like this have destroyed careers).

Also Bottas beat Massa by a good margin last year, Ricciardo beat his veteran team mate and WDC winner by a good margin as well and though slightly better than Bottas
What wasn't Calculated though was the Pace difference and the Run Massa had in the last half of the season, Massa was basically the guy with higher Highs and Lower lows last season. Ricciardo on the other Hand had a Steady Pace advantage allthrought the entire season and even When Vettel finished ahead he looked faster, keep in mind he wasn't beating a no body this was the defending 4 times World champion.

However, what you don't calculate (more irony) is that this was a new car that is quite different from the 09-13 runners. It's very possible that Vettel need more time to adjust to the car, and guys like Massa were able to grasp it better. Also the fact that a change of scenery has helped Massa seem more like the driver many saw 08 and prior. Either way Massa (as much as I hate the guy) is doing quite well in the current formula and with his veteran skill Bottas is beating him still.

The car is different yes, but the Talent is not going to wildly change every-time there is new regulations, Also saying Bottas beating him is a bit premature considering all the races done soo far and the fact he is still behind in the points.

Also what is with the stuck up attitude?

Everything Im putting up here is just my analysis of what im seeing in F1 it's not aimed at attacking people.
 
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Your biases are creating delusions, I see. You clearly want Bottas to be good, but he hasn't exactly proven it yet.

He was soundly beaten by Maldonado as a rookie and last year I'd say he very marginally outperformed Felipe Massa (clearly not a "good margin"). Statistically, the image is even more unfavorable for Bottas, as when both Williams finished it was 8-6 Massa last year. And Bottas' 6 finishes ahead includes three races where Massa had major problems outside of his control (minute long pit stop in China, debris in the floor for 2/3 of Spa, Q1 engine issues in Russia). And this season, if anything, Massa has the small advantage.

5-9 isn't that sound, I'd say sound is what DR did to Vettel last year. Also many have already agreed that Pastor isn't a slow driver and it quite fast when he actually has good judgement for the day. As for Massa against Bottas it was 8-7 favor to Massa, when you take classified finishes. Bottas had an avg. finish of 6th while Massa had one of 7.4 when they both finished together, making a point that Bottas usually finished higher when he did beat Massa compared to the opposite. Also what about Germany and GB when he went from 14 to 2nd. He's proven to be a consistent and fast driver and good at doing such. This is no delusion and not sure what biases are being used here, considering I've not used any. A user has double standards for one driver when judging another and I called him out on it, and now we're here. He could have simply kept it to that but then he want to pretend he didn't do that and expand it out to here.


Faulty on what basis?
Stronger or weaker car means little, as F1 is a ever evolving sport and one car that might be fast one weekend might be slow another, combine that with all the different talents in each car means it's a lot more complex then saying ''he is elite because he beat someone driving this car because that car is better.''

No one said that, and the R&D of any engineering endeavor isn't that exponentially fast to see such a dramatic change if it worked out that easily we should all bet on Mc-Honda being able to fight higher up due to the three weeks they have to work right now.

I always try to focus on the team mate first, then look else where as that is much easier to understand since they are using the same equipment at any given time(Mostly).

If that's the case then why compare Massa to Alonso when it's well seen that the same measuring stick wasn't used.


I didn't say that, you did.

I said: ''Beating Vettel was lets be honest after a massive Vettel error and then a pit stop afterwards, not that it wasn't a good drive but using it as a point is kinda useless, unless your just looking at the results on Autosport rather then actually watching the race.''

Which to most people would be an indirect saying "so you looked up the post race results and not watched the race"

This is a weak basis for argument because:
1. His race was compromised by damage
2. He had to do another whole pit stop on top putting his car where it wouldn't of been.

But I didn't say it wasn't a good drive because he did keep Vettel behind him.

He compromised his own race, and his weekend was already in dire position when he collided with Perez and never really seemed to have a grip on what he wanted out of the weekend. More so the only flash of him showing that maybe that was fixed was in Quali. But soon as the race started he showed more of what he had prior to Quali.

He destroyed himself on Sunday and due to that he had to pit because of it. But the damage was not severe enough to make it seem as if he couldn't challenge Bottas. In fact he could be was held off simple as that.

Say what you want about that particular situation, but he continued to stay there which means he obviously wasn't treated as bad as you think he was, and all those moments of ''2nd driverness'' happened after mid season.
Also I didn't count 2009, because he wasn't Alonso team mate(I said 4 years Straight 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) and he had a severe head injury which is much more severe then the back injuries mentioned(Massive injuries like this have destroyed careers).

He stayed there because Alonso wanted him too, knowing he'd follow orders and not challenge his number 1 status. Also no you said five years he has under performed, I've quoted you as such and since you're a bit fickle I'll quote it again. Also Massa stayed cause he had no offers that were worth the switch (or money) Ferrari were giving, and he was lucky the move to Williams proved as fruitful as it has.

What wasn't Calculated though was the Pace difference and the Run Massa had in the last half of the season, Massa was basically the guy with higher Highs and Lower lows last season. Ricciardo on the other Hand had a Steady Pace advantage allthrought the entire season and even When Vettel finished ahead he looked faster, keep in mind he wasn't beating a no body this was the defending 4 times World champion.

I calculated it, the problem was this is a Massa trait which runs counter to why Ferrari told him more and more second half to pull over to Fernando. Massa has always been a faster presence during the second half of a season than the first, point is Bottas was consistently fast over the entire season and this allowed him to stay ahead of his team mate in points by more than 50.

The car is different yes, but the Talent is not going to wildly change every-time there is new regulations, Also saying Bottas beating him is a bit premature considering all the races done soo far and the fact he is still behind in the points.

Sure there is, Webber enjoyed the 2010 car over subsequent cars because it had less trick electronics and aero bits that suited the style of Vettel. Does that mean his talent was never there? Schumacher enjoyed much more speed with the Bridgestones of 2004 and prior and the newer tires for 05 and 06 weren't as fast as their competitor so should it be said he speed was mainly based on this? The point is yes, talent does take a hit when rules are changed to curve such talent or styles. The 2014 RBR seemed to be a more driver oriented car, rather than one reliant on innovative aero.

Also I haven't said Bottas has beat him this season, last season yes...this season no because it's not over. And the second half of the season where Massa really shines. Also Bottas is behind Massa due to Massa having finished four races in the points and Bottas only being able to race 3 of the 4 due to an injury in one side lining him. If he was behind because he got beat then sure I could see the point of saying "still behind in points".

Also what is with the stuck up attitude?

Everything Im putting up here is just my analysis of what im seeing in F1 it's not aimed at attacking people.

What stuck up attitude because I'm actually challenging you? It's funny cause you make comments out of irritation (at least it seems so) for what PM says, but complain when others do it to you. I never said you made comments to attack people, but now that you mention it...it could be conveyed in certain cases that you're trying to.

Problem is your analysis just like anyone's analysis is flawed I'm simply asking or was asking, why the back injury of Bottas isn't an excuse but a time frame for another driver in which you claim was sublime is allowed (directly or indirectly).
 
No one said that, and the R&D of any engineering endeavor isn't that exponentially fast to see such a dramatic change if it worked out that easily we should all bet on Mc-Honda being able to fight higher up due to the three weeks they have to work right now.
It's not just development, it's how the car reacts to certain tracks, last year Williams struggled on the High downforce tracks such as Monaco as their car was more designed for the Low to medium downforce tracks.

If that's the case then why compare Massa to Alonso when it's well seen that the same measuring stick wasn't used.
But it was, thats why I mentioned him in the first place

He compromised his own race, and his weekend was already in dire position when he collided with Perez and never really seemed to have a grip on what he wanted out of the weekend. More so the only flash of him showing that maybe that was fixed was in Quali. But soon as the race started he showed more of what he had prior to Quali.

He destroyed himself on Sunday and due to that he had to pit because of it. But the damage was not severe enough to make it seem as if he couldn't challenge Bottas. In fact he could be was held off simple as that.
This is all irrelevent because it was more of Vettels failings being in that position rather then Bottas speed on why he was ahead at the end, my point is it's not a performance you can say Bottas outraced Vettel in a worse car all things considered.

He stayed there because Alonso wanted him too, knowing he'd follow orders and not challenge his number 1 status. Also no you said five years he has under performed, I've quoted you as such and since you're a bit fickle I'll quote it again. Also Massa stayed cause he had no offers that were worth the switch (or money) Ferrari were giving, and he was lucky the move to Williams proved as fruitful as it has.
Im sorry but im trying to have an argument on something that is possible to do and this isn't this is wild speculation based on zero factual information.

Where is the quote? I said 4 years at Ferrari.

When I said odd flashes of pace in last 5 years that was including last year at Williams.

Sure there is, Webber enjoyed the 2010 car over subsequent cars because it had less trick electronics and aero bits that suited the style of Vettel. Does that mean his talent was never there? Schumacher enjoyed much more speed with the Bridgestones of 2004 and prior and the newer tires for 05 and 06 weren't as fast as their competitor so should it be said he speed was mainly based on this? The point is yes, talent does take a hit when rules are changed to curve such talent or styles. The 2014 RBR seemed to be a more driver oriented car, rather than one reliant on innovative aero.

Also I haven't said Bottas has beat him this season, last season yes...this season no because it's not over. And the second half of the season where Massa really shines. Also Bottas is behind Massa due to Massa having finished four races in the points and Bottas only being able to race 3 of the 4 due to an injury in one side lining him. If he was behind because he got beat then sure I could see the point of saying "still behind in points".
Say what you want about Webber but there are a few things that should be noted, Webber was at the end of his career age and speed wise also the fact Vettel was still developing being only 23 at the time and only 2.5 years in the sport thats Younger then Bottas is now and with similar experience both at the time would be in a position to show more, Webber did get the odd flashes of speed though but was comprehensively beaten just like he was in the last half of 2010 as well.

Schumacher on the other hand was more of a car problem given that both him and his team mate significantly got worse together rather then just him that was 2005, in 2006 with the Tyre regulations going back to allowing for change during the race the car was competitive for the title and Schumacher fought well, I don't particularly see anything wrong with his 2006 season frankly as 2004 the car was easily the class of the field and he performed as such.

I would say Massa performed well in the last half of 2012 but apart from that there was no evidence of him doing that in any other season he was at Ferrari except pre accident, 2007 for example if you want to go that far back he actually got worse as the season went on.

What stuck up attitude because I'm actually challenging you? It's funny cause you make comments out of irritation (at least it seems so) for what PM says, but complain when others do it to you. I never said you made comments to attack people, but now that you mention it...it could be conveyed in certain cases that you're trying to.

Problem is your analysis just like anyone's analysis is flawed I'm simply asking or was asking, why the back injury of Bottas isn't an excuse but a time frame for another driver in which you claim was sublime is allowed (directly or indirectly).

Im Highlighting exactly what im talking about, having a discussion doesn't have to involve this stuff it is irrelevant to the topic at hand.

Also I would argue the most flawed thing here is your Massa, Alonso analysis because it mostly depends on what you think happened rather then any proof apart from a few 1 off events.
 
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Sticking this here to cool the ice: Chilton WDC forever!:lol: /sarcasm
 
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